ABOUT SANCHEZ ART CENTER 

The mission of Sanchez Art Center is to create community through art. Sanchez Art Center was established in 1996 when artists and community members converted an old school into a multi-use arts complex that now includes 3 galleries, 19 art studios, an arts education classroom, and the Mildred Owen Concert Hall. Sanchez Art Center offers exhibitions by established and emerging artists. We make art accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds by offering a variety of free exhibitions and lectures, affordable studio rentals, workshops and classes for teens and adults, and after-school art classes, summer camps, and in-school art classes for kids, as well as community art projects and opportunities.

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ABOUT THE CITY OF PACIFICA

The City of Pacifica is located in San Mateo County, a short distance south of San Francisco.  Founded over 60 years ago, the city united a number of previously unincorporated communities that were once stops for the Ocean Shore Railroad.  The City motto, “Scenic Pacifica” reflects its physical location nestled between the Pacifica Ocean and coastal hills. 

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Widely known for its beaches, surfing is a popular recreational activity in Pacifica.  Walking and biking trails with panoramic views offer recreational activity for all age groups. Fishing from the municipal Pacifica Pier, along with surf fishing and crabbing are also popular ocean.

Pacifica’s Coastal Zone (land area wet of Highway 1) includes 12% of the population; the majority of older and more affordable housing stock; five of six hotels; half the commercial businesses; public facilities; and significant historical and public recreational assets. 

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Though the majority of the approximately 39,000 population lives outside the Coastal Zone, in addition to providing coastal access for residents and visitors, significant infrastructure is also situated in the area.

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CITY OF PACIFICA, LOCAL COASTAL PLAN UPDATE TO INCLUDE SEA LEVEL RISE

The City of Pacific has approved a sea level rise Adaptation Plan that identifies potential vulnerabilities to sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding and severe storms and the options available to assist the city and the community for future climate change impacts.  The Adaptation Plan and will be included in the current update to the Local Coastal Plan and General Plan. 

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Frequently Asked Questions about the plan and process are available via the City’s Sea Level Rise pages on the website. 

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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, SEA CHANGE

The City of Pacifica is working with a number of partners in the process, including the County of San Mateo.  The Office of Sustainability administers Sea Change SMC, the County’s sea level rise initiative, and in March 2018 completed the San Mateo County Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment.  The Assessment is a comprehensive assessment, completed of flooding, erosion and sea level rise impacts on people, infrastructure and community functions in San Mateo County.   

Several of the profiles in the study focus on Pacifica and are also the proposed locations of this public art engagement project, including:

• Pacifica Nursing and Rehabilitation, Manor (north)

• Beach Boulevard, Seawall, Sharp Park (central)

• Pacifica State Beach, Linda Mar – a heavily used recreational asset, that are also the site of two pump stations (wastewater and stormwater) and habitat for the federally threatened western snowy plover.  (south)

The County of San Mateo has also developed a set of Frequently Asked Questions about Sea Level Rise Science and Sea Level Rise Impacts.  

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To explore impacts and learn about solutions and projects underway to protect our people and manage resources responsibly in San Mateo County, visit the Sea Change SMC website. 

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